Coventry Schools Boys Cross Country Success

A Generation Inspired!

Last Saturday almost 300 boys ran for their schools at the Coventry Primary Schools Boy's Cross-country competition at Keresley Grange. This was a record entry and boys from 30 schools gave their all in front of hundreds of cheering parents around the challenging course. For several schools and many runners this was their first entry into the competition.  The debutants from Willenhall, Stoke Heath and Joseph Cash had a rewarding experience and one that they will never forget. The Olympic spirit is alive and running in Coventry!

What a competition it turned out to be. The A teams went first. Jasper Tether from Stivichall led from the outset and despite close attention from Bablake's Conor Jelley and Huey Malone from Christ the King, he held on to win the race in an exceptionally fast time.

The A team competition went to Bablake. They had four runners in the top ten - Conor Jelley, Lucas Bennett, Josh Connolly and Oliver Pemble and with Sam Herniman and James McElligot not far behind, their team score was unassailable. Fine performances from Stivichall, who were led home by Jasper Tether and Allesley Primary, inspired by Elliot Walker in 7th place, completed the podium. St Thomas More and the ever improving Pearl Hyde ran with great determination to come in 4th and 5th.

The B team race was just as keenly fought but here the team honours went to Stivichall with Bablake a strong second. The race was led from start to finish by Jake Minshall from Mount Nod with the Stivichall lead runners of Findley Geany, Felix Donnelly, Cameron Herd and Sammy Crow in 6th following him home. Runners up Bablake were led home by Patrick Heffernan in 5th. Allesley continued their fine form from the A race, seeing off Pearl Hyde to take the bronze.

The medals and trophies were presented by Coventry Olympian, Dave Long. What a feast of sporting endeavour this summer has been and clearly the children of our city have been inspired. Let us hope they return next year as determined as they were this, to run for themselves and for their schools. Well done to the hares, Jack Vallette and Joseph Gilkes and special mention also to Carol Rees and Tony Pedley for organising the event and for giving our next generation of Olympians the chance to begin that journey